Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem has rejected the framework agreement signed between Lebanon and Israel under U.S. mediation. In a statement issued Saturday, following the fifth round of Beirut-Tel Aviv talks held in Washington on Friday, Qassem declared the deal null and void and demanded the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory in line with the Iran-U.S. memorandum of understanding.

Qassem warned that linking the disarmament of Lebanese resistance forces to the withdrawal of Israeli troops was a dangerous move that crossed all boundaries, arguing it would turn Lebanon into a puppet of its enemy. His remarks came amid growing debate in Lebanon over the agreement, with some media outlets and lawmakers describing it as historic and potentially beneficial, while others condemned it as a unilateral concession to Israel.

According to Lebanese authorities, more than 4,000 people have been killed and over 4,000 injured in Israeli attacks since March 2, underscoring the tense backdrop to the negotiations.